Sir, - Four years ago this month, an MRBI survey was published in The Irish Times which showed that 73 per cent of the Irish electorate favoured a ban on the repugnant blood-sport of hare-coursing. Between then and now, countless hares have been snatched from their natural habitat in the wild and forced to run for their lives in this base excuse for entertainment.
Believe it or not, the Wildlife Act 1976 categorises the hare as a protected species. What a joke. May I take this opportunity to appeal to the new Government to give some real protection to the hare, one of Ireland's most timid, beautiful and favourite wild creatures? Let's see an end to this anachronistic cruelty now. The time has come for prompt action which reflects the wishes of the vast majority of the people. - Yours, etc.,
Philip Kiernan,
Mullingar, Co Westmeath.